Original Article
Effect of Zinc Supplementation in Children with Acute
Diarrhea: Randomized Double Blind Controlled Trial
Sangita S Trivedia, Rajesh K Chudasamab, c, Nehal Patela
Abstract
Background: To test the hypothesis that daily supplementation
of zinc has any effect on clinical course of acute diarrhea, i.e. fre-
quency of stool, on stool amount and duration of acute diarrhea.
Methods: In a randomized double blind placebo controlled trial,
117 children aged 6 months to 59 months in a medical college hos-
pital, with acute diarrhea of less than 14 days were assigned by
permuted block design 1:1 to receive intervention of zinc supple-
mented syrup (n = 60) or placebo syrup (n = 57).
Results: Baseline characteristics were similar in both the groups.
Mean age in zinc supplemented group was 22.14 16.68 months
and in placebo group 25.66 17.02 months. Reduction in stool fre-
quency per day was found 62% in zinc supplemented group and
26% reduction was found in placebo supplemented group with
obvious difference of 36% between these two groups from day 1
to day 3 and day 5, which was found statistically highly signifi-
cant. Similarly, significant difference was observed for reduction in
amount of stool per day from day 1 to day 3 and day 5 with obvious
difference of 45% between the study groups.
Conclusions: Oral zinc administration in acute diarrhea reduces
the frequency of diarrhea and output of stool by changing the natu-
ral course of acute diarrheal disease, causes early normalization of
stool consistency, early recovery and decreases total duration of
hospital stay. Zinc supplementation is simple, acceptable and af-
fordable strategy which should be considered in management of
acute diarrhea.
Manuscript accepted for publication June 12, 2009.
a
Pediatric Department, Government Medical College, Surat, India
b
Community Medicine Department, Government Medical College, Surat,
India
c
Corresponding author: Shreeji Krupa, Meera Nagar, Street No.5, Raiya
Road, Rajkot, Gujarat, India. E-mail address: dranakonda@yahoo.com,
dranakonda@gmail.com
doi:10.4021/gr2009.06.1298
168
Gastroenterology Research 2009;2(3)168-174
Keywords: Acute diarrhea; Zinc; Placebo; Frequency of stool;
Randomized controlled trial; Blinding
Introduction
Diarrheal disease constitutes a leading cause of mor-
bidity and mortality among children less than five years of
age in developing countries [1]. In recent years, the major
advance in the treatment of acute gastroenteritis in children
was the introduction of oral rehydration solution (ORS) in
the early stages of illness [2]. Significant proportions of chil-
dren who suffer from diarrhea are malnourished with deplet-
ed micronutrient stores. Diarrhea also leads to excess loss of
micronutrients such as zinc and copper. Therefore children
with marginal nutritional status are also at the greatest risk
of developing zinc and copper depletion with an episode of
diarrhea [3]. Zinc has direct effect on intestinal villus, brush
border disaccharidase activity and intestinal transport of wa-
ter and electrolytes [4]. Zinc supplements given during diar-
rhea reduce the duration and severity of treated episodes [5]
and, if given for total 14 days during and after diarrhea, can
reduce the incidence of diarrhea in subsequent two or three
months [6]. Therefore, we conducted a randomized, double
blind, placebo controlled trial to test the hypothesis that daily
supplementation of zinc has effect on frequency and amount
of stool and shortens the duration of acute diarrhea in chil-
dren of 6 months to 5 years of age while treating acute diar-
rhea.
Subjects and Methods
Study area and population enrollment
The study was conducted at pediatric department (single
centered), Government Medical College and Hospital, Surat,
Gujarat, India as per the Helsinki Declaration and after ap-
proval by the human research ethical committee of the Gov-
ernment Medical College, Surat. In present trial, all children
aged 6 months to 59 months who presented and admitted
to hospital (only inpatients) with more than three unformed
Trivedi et al
stools in 24 hours and diarrheal duration of < 14 days were
eligible after written informed consent. All patients without
any signs of dehydration were also monitored in diarrheal
treatment unit of the hospital. A child could be enrolled only
once. Child with any other significant systemic illnesses
and severe malnutrition was excluded. Any child receiving
systemic or oral antibiotics, multivitamins, iron, antimotil-
ity drugs, pre- and probiotics and other drugs before or after
admission were also excluded.
Baseline assessment
The following baseline data was collected, including
diarrheal duration, frequency of stool, amount of stool, char-
acter of stool (watery, mucoid or bloody), age, sex, maternal
education, family income, diet of child (mostly breastfed,
partially breastfed, other milk, mixed feeding or family diet),
immunization status, history of fever or vomiting, prior use
of ORS, prior use of medications and nutritional status. All
patients with dehydration were provided oral rehydration so-
lution as per WHO guidelines. Height and weight were mea-
sured by using UNICEF Detecto Scale by a trained person.
Infantometer was used to measure length of children below
24 months of age. Stool output was monitored as soon as
patient was admitted, and weighed as and when required by
using electronic weighing machine during hospitalization by
trained personnel. All the information was recorded on pre-
designed and pretested proforma.
Interventions
The liquid preparation containing zinc or a placebo
used as syrup in present trial contained (1) water and sugar at
50% concentration, (2) mix fruit flavored agent, and (3) Na
Benzoate (0.2%) as a preservative. The zinc syrup contains
same vehicle with zinc sulfate with concentration of 2 mg
elemental zinc per milliliter (ml). Both the syrup bottles con-
taining either zinc or a placebo were identical in appearance
and taste. Syrup bottles were given to each childs mother
and kept with them. Patients were given double the recom-
mended daily allowance of zinc, as 5 ml (10 mg) for child
less than one year and 10 ml (20 mg) for child more than one
year in two divided doses per day after hospital admission,
and continued till they were get cured and discharged.
Objectives
Present trial was done to test the hypothesis that daily
supplementation of zinc have any effect on clinical course
of acute diarrhea, frequency of stool, on stool amount and
duration of acute diarrhea in children age group 6 months to
5 years of age.
Outcome variables
The primary outcome was frequency of diarrhea per
day from the time of onset. A diarrhea was considered as a
24 hour period with passage of at least three unformed stools
Gastroenterology Research 2009;2(3)168-174
and this episode was considered terminated on the last day
of diarrhea followed by 24 hour diarrhea free period. The
amount of stool was measured as primary outcome variable
from day of admission to day 5 or to the day of discharge.
The number and proportion of patients with diarrhea less
than 14 days and mean length of hospital stay was also esti-
mated. Serum protein, albumin, alkaline phosphatase values
at the time of admission, impact of zinc supplementation on
stool amount during acute diarrhea were also estimated by
using biochemical investigation.
Sample size and follow up
A prospective study was conducted for one year, started
from August 1, 2007 to July 31, 2008. The purpose of select-
ing one year as study period was to cover all the seasons
throughout the year and avoid any selection bias and sea-
sonal influence. All patients having acute diarrhea in the age
group of 6 months to 6 years admitted in hospital during this
period were enrolled in the study. Total 1492 pediatric pa-
tients were admitted in wards of pediatric department during
this time period at Government Medical College, Surat. Out
of these, 196 admission were belongs to 6 months to 5 years
of age group with diarrhea. Total 117 patients were enrolled
in this study out of 196 admissions of study group through-
out the year. Remaining 79 patients in same age group were
excluded because they were having concomitant other ill-
ness, received some systematic or oral antibiotic before ad-
mission or any kind of other drugs, received preadmission
multivitamins/iron, antimotility drugs, pre and probiotics
like lactobacilli, etc. Parents of all 117 patients have given
written consent and were enrolled in this study without re-
fusal to participate, of which 60 patients were allocated to
experimental group and 57 patients to placebo group after
randomization. They were followed up in hospital after ad-
mission on day 1, 3, and 5. At the end of follow up after 5
days in the hospitalized patients, 44 patients were remained
in experimental group and 44 patients in placebo group and
included in analysis.
Randomization sequence generation, allocation con-
cealment and implementation
Children who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were en-
rolled into two treatment groups, experimental and placebo
group. The sequence to enroll children in either group was
generated by using restricted randomization by using per-
muted block design of 1:1 to ensure that the comparison
groups will be of approximately equal size. Stratification
was done as per the age, and socioeconomic status of chil-
dren. Age was grouped in 6 - 12 months, 13 - 36 months and
37 - 60 months groups. Modified Prasads socioeconomic
classification [7] was used to determine socioeconomic sta-
tus of children. Patients were allocated a specific numbered
bottle of either zinc or placebo syrup without revealing its
identity. The person who made the sequence generation was
169
Zinc Supplementation in Acute Diarrhea
Figure 1. Flow diagram of a trial of zinc supplementation in children with acute diarrhea. * LAMA- Leave
against medical advice
not monitoring the study groups. The sequence code num-
bers were kept in a sealed envelop with one of the senior of-
ficer who identified the groups after completion of the study.
After recovery from illness, children were discharged and
parents were advised to continue the given syrup for total 14
days along with home available routine diet. Due care was
taken to provide adequate amount of appropriate bottle of
zinc/placebo syrup at discharge of patients.
Blinding
Double blinding technique was used in present study.
170
Gastroenterology Research 2009;2(3)168-174
All study participants and personnel including care provid-
ers, evaluators and monitors were blinded to treatment as-
signment for the whole duration of the study to avoid any
type of bias. Patient blinding was evaluated by asking ques-
tions to patients and their parents to indicate which type of
treatment they believed they had received like special medi-
cine containing syrup or a routine syrup during follow up on
day 3, day 5 or at time of discharge if earlier. But no patient
replied that they have any idea about the type of syrup they
are receiving. Similarly, blinding study personnel including
care providers were asked questions that which type of syrup
Trivedi et al Gastroenterology Research 2009;2(3)168-174

Table 1. Baseline characteristics of zinc supplemented and placebo group children

Zinc supplemented group Placebo group

(n = 44) (n = 44)
Variables
No. % No. %

Age in months
6 - 12 19 43.2 17 38.6
13 - 36 18 40.9 18 40.9
37 - 60 7 15.9 9 20.5

Sex of child
Male 23 52.3 16 36.4
Female 21 47.7 28 63.6

Socioeconomic status
Upper 12 27.3 20 45.5
Middle 18 40.9 14 31.8
Lower 14 31.8 10 22.7

Diarrhea frequency/day on
admission
4 9.1 2 4.5
5
8 18.2 13 29.6
6 - 10
32 72.7 29 65.9
> 10

No. of days for diarrhea on

admission
41 93.2 41 93.2
7
3 6.8 3 6.8
8 - 14

Diarrhea with fever

Yes 18 40.9 15 34.1
No 26 59.1 29 65.9

Diarrhea with vomiting

Yes 36 81.8 36 81.8
No 8 18.2 8 18.2

they believed that they are giving to the patients. When they compared and analyzed by using Epi Info 6 software. Mean
answered either zinc or placebo syrup, they were asked to and standard deviations (SD) were calculated and statistical
indicate how they have identified, but no one has correctly significance was tested by using Students t test. Two sided
identified. significance tests were used throughout.

Statistical analysis
All data analysis was done as per the preestablished
analysis plan. Exploratory data analysis was carried out to
assess the distribution of study variables. Baseline char-
acteristics of treatment groups were entered in computers,
Results
Flow and follow up of participants
Total 1492 patients were admitted to pediatric depart-

171
Zinc Supplementation in Acute Diarrhea
ment at Government Medical College, Surat during study
period. Out of these, 196 patients belonged to study group
(Fig. 1). Due to exclusion criteria, 79 children were excluded
from the trial. So, 117 children were allocated for the trial.
Among these, 60 were allocated in experimental group re-
ceiving zinc syrup and 57 were allocated in placebo group
receiving placebo syrup. During hospital follow up, 16 pa-
tients were lost to follow up in experimental group and 13 in
placebo group as they left hospital against medical advice.
Finally, 44 patients were remained for analysis in both the
groups. Mean age in zinc supplemented group was 22.14
16.68 months and in placebo group 25.66 17.02 months.
Analysis
Baseline characteristics of study group children are
shown in Table 1. Majority participants belong to age 6
months to 36 months. There was an almost equal socioeco-
nomic distribution among study participants. Diarrhea fre-
quency more than 10 times per day with less then 7 days du-
ration on admission was found mainly in both study groups.
Table 2 shows impact of zinc supplementation on fre-
quency of stool per day during follow up on day 1, day 3
and day 5 during acute diarrhea. Results showed that in all
the age groups, stool frequency per day significantly reduced
from day 1 to day 3 and day 5 in zinc supplemented group
compare to placebo group, which was primary outcome vari-
able. Reduction in stool frequency per day was found 62%
in zinc syrup supplemented group and 26% reduction was
found in placebo syrup supplemented group with obvious
difference of 36% between these two groups (p < 0.01).
Effect of zinc supplementation on stool amount per day
is shown in Table 3. All the stool evacuations were collected
and weighed by trained personnel in hospital. Significant re-
duction in per day stool amount as primary outcome was ob-
Table 2. Impact of zinc supplementation on frequency of stool per day during follow up as per mean SD
Zinc supplementation
Age group group (n = 44)
Day 1 Day 3 Day 5
6-12 9.05 4.89 3.75 2.59* 2.90 1.92*
13-36 11.78 7.25 3.89 2.91* 1.92 1.32*
37-60 8.28 7.25 5.4 3.43 1.91 1.21*
Total 10.7 6.38 4.06 2.82* 2.32 1.58*
* Indicates p < 0.01, percent reduction in frequency of stool/day- Zinc: 62%, Placebo: 26%, difference: 36%.
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Gastroenterology Research 2009;2(3)168-174
served from day 1 to day 3 and day 5 while comparing zinc
supplemented group and placebo group. Serum protein, al-
bumin, and alkaline phosphatase, and zinc were also checked
in all the age groups by doing biochemical investigations.
Serum alkaline phosphatase was found low in study groups.
Serum zinc level was found low at time of admission but
on third day when tested again, shown rise in serum level
in zinc supplemented group. Body weight and mid arm cir-
cumference measurement at time of admission and at time
of discharge was done but was statistically not significant.
Compliance of every enrolled patient was found adequate
throughout the study. All patients were observed for any kind
of adverse effects during trial by monitoring each patient by
examining and by asking patients for any adverse effect de-
velopment but no adverse effects were reported in any of the
study participants throughout the trial.
Discussion
Present study examined several aspects of zinc supple-
mentation. Our study data indicates that supplementing the
children with acute watery diarrhea in age group of 6 - 60
months with double the recommended daily intake of zinc
during the period of acute illness has significantly decreased
the frequency of diarrhea and amount of stool output, and
improved the early normalization of stool consistency on
third day of zinc supplementation. Considering the recov-
ery parameters, it is acknowledged that stool output has
decreased significantly in total patients supplemented with
zinc (p < 0.05) on day 3 and day 5 as compared to control
placebo group. Present study also showed significant reduc-
tion in stool frequency (36%) and in stool output (45%) by
zinc supplementation on third day. The findings of present
Placebo group
(n = 44)
Day 1 Day 3 Day 5
11.19 7.21 8.57 7.78 3.4 3.53*
11.89 9.64 8.37 6.39 3.54 3.47*
7.77 2.10 6.5 1.92 3.59 3.43
10.86 7.71 8.05 6.26 3.40 3.34*
Trivedi et al
Table 3. Impact of zinc supplementation on amount of stool/day during management of acute diarrhea as per
mean SD
Zinc supplementation
group (n = 44)
Age group
Day 1 Day 3 Day 5
6-12 161.8 195.5 116.4 18.8 43.8 31.9*
13-36 345.5 296.2 181.1 220 103.3 78.1*
37-60 261.0 232.0 77 54.3 113.3 118.4
Total 259.6 272.2 144.4 175* 80.7 72.8*
*Indicates p <0.05, percent reduction in stool output/day, Zinc: 45%, Placebo: 0%, difference: 45%.
study indicate that zinc supplementation in acute diarrhea ef-
fectively reduces both frequency of diarrhea and output of
stool. Baqui AH et al [8] reported in their study of zinc and
copper supplementation on Bangladeshi children, that those
who received zinc supplementation during and after diarrhea
had 24% shorter duration of diarrhea, 15% lower incidence
of diarrhea, and a trend suggesting fewer diarrhea related
hospital admissions.
Moreover, the diarrheal duration and frequency, pri-
mary concerns of the mother also do provide some valuable
information regarding recovery. As is seen that the diarrhe-
al frequency and duration was comparable in both groups
initially, but on third day the zinc supplemented group has
shown faster recovery in frequency and duration of diarrhea.
In contrast, Patel AB et al [3] have reported that most im-
portant predictor for duration of diarrhea in children was the
severity of the disease at enrollment, and not the supplemen-
tation, but in contrast present study showed no such role of
disease severity. The reduction in duration of diarrhea epi-
sode is consistent with earlier studies [9, 10]. A meta-analy-
sis of five studies of zinc treatment for acute diarrhea found
a summary estimate for reduction in duration of 16% [5].
Possible mechanisms for the effect of zinc treatment on the
duration of diarrhea include improved absorption of water
and electrolytes by intestine, faster generation of gut epithe-
lium, enhanced immune response, leading to early clearance
of diarrheal pathogens from intestine [11, 12]. Rahman MM
et al [13] have reported that combined zinc and vitamin A
synergistically reduced the prevalence of persistent diarrhea
and dysentery.
Serum alkaline phosphatase measurement has been
Gastroenterology Research 2009;2(3)168-174
Placebo group
(n = 44)
Day 1 Day 3 Day 5
164.7 182.4 226.7 419.5 158.0 239.0
232.7 273.2 195.1 187.4 139.7 147.9
68.7 46.1 38.6 51.8 131.2 163.5
173.4 215.9 183.9 292.9 148.8 192.3
suggested as an important surrogate marker of zinc status in
human [14]. In present study, it has been shown that serum
alkaline phosphatase was low in all patients, may be corre-
lating with zinc deficiency, but we were not able to do the
follow up study on the seventh and fourteenth day supple-
mentation. This is the limitation of our study that rise in se-
rum alkaline phosphatase with serial zinc supplementation
was not followed as supported by other studies [15]. But as
we have measured serum zinc on third day of supplementa-
tion with zinc syrup, it was seen that serum zinc has shown
significant rise on third day, that suggests that sufficient ab-
sorption and replenishment of body zinc occurred with the
double dose of zinc used. Both the groups were not given
any other multivitamin or micronutrient supplement which
may interfere with absorption of others and study results by
their effect.
Present study was hospital based and only admitted pa-
tients to the pediatric wards were enrolled in the study which
leads to selection bias, excluding patients treated on outpa-
tient and that was the limitation of present study.
In conclusion, oral zinc administration in acute diarrhea
decreases the frequency of diarrhea and output of stool by
changing the natural course of acute diarrheal disease, causes
early normalization of stool consistency, early recovery and
decreases total duration of hospital stay. Zinc supplemen-
tation is simple, acceptable and affordable strategy which
should be considered in management of acute diarrhea.
Acknowledgements
173
Zinc Supplementation in Acute Diarrhea
The authors declare no conflicts of interest related to
this article. Authors are thankful to all participants of study
for their participation and nursing personnel of pediatric de-
partment for their valuable support.
Contributions: SST participated in the design of the
study, its coordination, helped in statistical analysis and
manuscript drafting. NP supervised the data collection and
helped in statistical analysis. RKC participated in its design
and coordination, statistical analysis and manuscript prepa-
ration. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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